Teen girl screamed ‘paedophile’ as she filmed attack on man she’s accused of murdering

WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: A teenage girl is on trial alongside two boys accused of killing Alexander Cashford, 49, in Leysdown-on-Sea on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent – all deny murder

A teenage girl on trial for murder allegedly screamed “f****** paedophile, I’m f****** 16, get him” as she filmed a man being attacked at a seaside resort, a court has heard.

The 16-year -old girl is being tried alongside two boys, aged 15 and 16, accused of killing Alexander Cashford, 49, in Leysdown-on-Sea on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent. Woolwich Crown Court was informed that Mr Cashford was discovered face down in mud with severe head and facial injuries just over an hour after meeting the trio on 10 August last year.

Prosecutors allege that the teenagers enticed him to the beach using a fake name, “Sienna”, after exchanging numerous messages with him in the days leading up to his death. The court heard that the group were spotted near the promenade that evening as Mr Cashford travelled to the village to meet the girl.

Jurors were told he met the 16-year-old on the seafront shortly before 7pm. The pair strolled along the promenade while the two boys trailed behind. During the walk, the girl picked up an empty glass bottle, according to prosecutors.

Police later retrieved a video from the 16-year-old boy’s phone which the prosecution claim was recorded by the girl during the attack.

In the video, she can be heard shouting: “F****** paedophile, I’m f****** 16,” followed by “Get him”.

The court heard how a 16-year-old lad, brandishing a glass bottle and shouting, struck Mr Cashford on the back of his head and swung at his upper body. As the boys pursued their victim, he tumbled onto the stone floor.

The jury was told that a 15-year-old boy then tripped over the 49-year-old as he lay prone.

A girl can be heard yelling: “Get him, f****** nonce,” before the recording abruptly ends.

The court was also informed that the 16-year-old lad later shared the footage of the alleged assault with three people, captioning it: “f***** pedo up lol”.

Prosecutors stated that he sent the clip just prior to his arrest. The court was told that police were alerted to the incident by a witness at 7.14pm on August 10.

CCTV footage later captured the three defendants departing from the area where Mr Cashford’s body was discovered.

The jury was shown brief video footage which seemed to depict shouting, two lads and a man running. Police also found photos on the 16 year old lad’s phone showing injuries the 15 year old lad sustained after he fell when he tripped over Mr Cashford, the court heard.

Earlier, the court was told that Mr Cashford first encountered the girl by chance at an amusement arcade in Leysdown-on-Sea two days prior to the killing. Prosecutors said he gave her a business card and his phone number was later saved in a phone belonging to the 16 year old lad under the name “Pedo”.

The initial message sent to Mr Cashford stated: “Hi it’s the girl from the arcade but to let you know I am 16 if u care about that kind of thing.”

Approximately 75 messages were exchanged over the following two days between Mr Cashford and someone he believed to be a 16 year old girl called Sienna. The jury heard that Mr Cashford claimed to be 30 years old and enquired if she enjoyed champagne, receiving the response: “Yeaaaa I love champagne.”

Later messages suggested they arrange to meet at the beach before heading to her parents’ vacant house, with “Sienna” instructing him to bring alcohol. He also sent a message expressing his desire to kiss her, which received an apparently positive response.

Prosecutor Kate Blumgart KC informed jurors that police identification procedures were conducted during the investigation. One witness identified the girl as having been present at the scene, shouting: “He’s a f****** paedo.”

Another witness identified the younger boy as the individual who stumbled as Mr Cashford fell whilst attempting to flee from the teenagers. Ms Blumgart also detailed the post-mortem examination findings.

She explained that Mr Cashford had sustained “abrasions all over his head and neck”, including one to the rear of his skull with “associated significant swelling”, alongside bruises and cuts to his arms, hands, legs and torso. Several of his left ribs were fractured, resulting in his lung collapsing, the jury was told.

The court also heard that Mr Cashford had previously suffered a heart attack and had a stent fitted. The three teenagers deny murder.

The trial continues.